Bowling pin conveying mechanism



Oct. 17, 1961 H. C.CONGELL.I 3,004,760

BOWLING PIN CONVEYING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 26. 1957 '5 Sheets-Sheet 1- STATION I[ FIG. I

4 INVENTOR HENRY C. CONGELLI ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1961 H. c. CONGELLI BOWLING PIN CONVEYING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D60 26. 1957 INVENTOR HENRY C. CONGELLI ATTO NEY Oct. 17, 1961 H. c. CONGELLI 3,004,760

BOWLING PIN CONVEYING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 26. 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /fl\ Zo -'li| 97 R Z? 27 4 t. 6! 7 6 3 9% 7 /6 FIG. 4. 4?

. INVENTOR.

HENRY C. CONGELLI ATTORNEY.

3,004,760 BOWLING PIN CONVEYING MECHANISM Henry C. Congelli, Stamford, Conn., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Dec. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 705,239 14 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to automatic bowling pin spotting machines and more particularly to novel means for conveying bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley to a delivery station for delivery to a pinspotting device for placement on the playing bed of a bowling alley.

The invention in general comprises improvements to existing types of bowling pin conveying mechanisms for use with bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley to an elevated discharge station thereabove, and especially to the elimination of positively actuated grippers which must be positively actuated in order to progressively grip pins as they are delivered into the conveyor. In accordance with the present invention, the means for holding pins which are delivered into the conveyor are gravity operated and are effective to hold pins in the conveyor as the result of the travel of the conveyor upwardly and the concomitant gravity biased action of the holding means as they move progressively into holding engagement with pins positioned in the conveyor.

The conveyor embodying the invention consists of an annular wheel provided with a series of pockets, each pocket having associated therewith a gravity operated pin gripping or holding arm so constructed and arranged that as the result of the rotary motion of the wheel, each arm is gravity biased ormoved into engagement with a pin seated in the pocket with which the particular arm is associated, and the pin is so held from the point at which the arm becomes operative until the pin held thereby reaches a predetermined delivery station where it is discharged.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pin elevating member provided with novel pin securing means.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a pin elevating member employing self-actuating means for securing pins in the respective pockets thereof.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a pin elevating member provided with gravity actuated pin holders to selectively grip pins carried in the pin elevating member.

A further object of the present invention is to provide pin holding rods mounted for gravity bias operation with pins retained in the pockets of a rotary pin elevating member.

It is an added object of this inventionto provide a rotary pin elevating member employing gravity actuated pin securing means operative to selectively release pins from the elevating member at a predetermined location on its path ofltravel.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved bowling pin elevating device comprising an annular wheel wherein the wheel is provided with a channel having a plurality of pin receiving seats or pockets and novel pin holding and releasing means associated with each of said seats or pockets for holding pins therein from the point of receipt of pins in each pocket until the wheel has moved to locate each seat or pocket carrying a pin at a predetermined elevated point of delivery above the pit whereupon such pin isreleased by the gravity biased action of holding means and is free to fall into a distributor for delivery to a pin setting mechanism.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described tates atent C Patented Oct. 17, 1961 and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a rotary pin elevating member provided with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial front view of a rotary pin elevating member provided with a modified form of the invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, pin elevating member designated generally 10, is shown installed in the pit P of a conventional bowling alley at one side of the pit, preferably at the rear thereof and between kickbacks K1 and K2 of the present invention. Pin elevating member 10, provided with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is mounted on and rotates with hub 12 which is rotatably mounted on shaft 14. Shaft 14 is fixed in frame 16 which, in turn, is suitably secured to kickbacks K1 and K2 adjacent the sides of pit P. Pin elevator 10 is preferably formed of sheet metal parts or sections, although light castings, or other comparable material may be used to function as desired. The center of body portion 18 of pin elevator 10 is substantially conical in form, and provided with a circular marginal generally U-shaped rim or channel 20. The periphery of channel 20 is flanged forming groove 22 to accommodate endless belt 24. Belt 24 is driven by sheave 26 secured to and rotating with shaft 28 which is driven in any suitable manner (not shown).

Channel 20 is of a width and depth suflicient to accommodate bowling pins delivered thereinto from the pit P of the bowling alley. Blocks or fillers 29, secured to and equidistantly spaced in channel 20, provide suitable pin pockets or seats 30 therein.

Seven pockets have been found to operate satisfactorily, and for the purpose of illustration, are shown in FIGURE 1. If desired, more or less than seven pockets can be provided depending upon the diameter of rotary pin elevator 10 and the length of bowling pins to be handled; namely, tenpins, duck pins, or others.

Endless conveyor 31 is mounted for travel in pit P around rollers 33 secured to shafts 32, only one of each being shown for convenience (see FIG. 1). Shafts 32 are mounted transversely in pit P at the front and rear thereof in bearings 34 and are driven in any convenient manner. Frame member 36 and 38 are secured to kickbacks K1 and K2, respectively, and support bearings 34. Platform 40 is secured to sides 42 and 44, as shown in FIG. 1, preventing the upper lap of conveyor 31 from sagging under the weight or impact of bowling pins deposited thereon from the playing surface of the alley. Sides 42 and 44 are secured to frame members 36 and 38, respectively, in the inclined manner shown in FIG. 1. Chute 46, secured transversely in pit P to kickbacks K1 and K2, is positioned in the space between the edge of conveyor 31 and pin elevator 10, providing a continuous smooth surface therebetween.

Bowling pins removed from the playing surface of the associated bowling alley either by play or by a suitable sweep mechanism are deposited upon the upper lap of conveyor 31 which is preferably in continuous motion in pit P. Pins thus deposited are carried on conveyor 31 rear-wardly of pit Ptoward pin elevator mechanism- 10. Bowling pins removed from the playing surface of the. associated alley which land on sides 42 and 44 in pit P will slide' or gravitate thereon onto conveyor 31 to be delivered to pin elevator 10 also. Plows 48 and 50 are secured in any convenient manner to kickbacks K1 and K2 adjacent sides 44 and 42, respectively, adjacent pin elevating member 10, as shown in FIGURE 2. Plows 48-and-50 operate to direct-pins which-land on sides 44 and 42 away from the corners formed at kickbacks-K1 and K2 and pin-elevating member Ida-11d onto conveyor 3 1.

Pins deposited on conveyor-31-are"deliveredas -de scribedh'ereinabove over chute 46- to pin-elevating'mechanisr-n -at:station- I, seeFIGU-RE 1. The face of-chute 46 preferably is at the same angle as the peripheral'wall of--channel 20 to allowz pins delivered upon conveyor 31 to roll over chute 46 into one oflthetpinpockets 30 of pin elevat-"ing member "-10. Pin-channel 20-is so formed that it readily and easily receives pins lying lengthwise along and within channel 20-or-with the axes of the pins lying ina plane generally transverse-to the axis of rotation jofwpi-n elevator 10. Actually pins cannot be properly supported in pin elevating-member ltl for' elevation to "station III in any other position. Itwill also-be noted that the grooves 22 incline inwardly towards the axis of rotation ofl'pin elevator 10 and forwardly with respect to the alley so that channel 20 faces in the direction from which the-pins approach as they are urged rearwardly over chute '46 by 'conveyor'31 Pins thus become 'seated in pockets 30, either butt endffirst or handle end-first, without'the assistance of mechanicaladjuncts and are carriedupwardly toward discharge station, station III, in the direction indicated by arrow A 'asthe rotation of pinele'vator 10 travels each pocket =34 in succession through pit P and past stations I and II.

Pin elevating member 10 andits associated mechanism may be similar in construction and operation to that shown in Holloway et al., Pate'ri't No. 2,767,983. Further detailed disclosure thereof, except as isnecessary'for 'an understanding of the present invention, is omitted in the interests of brevity.

"As pin'elevating mechanismd'il travels a pocket 30 with a pin 68 residing therein'from pick-up station I toward discharge-Station=III,: gravity will'te'nd to-dislodgezpin 68 from :itsseated position in pocket 30. Clamp rods or pin holders 56 operate 'tot'prevent this. A clamp rod or pin h'older'56 is provided for each pocket 30 and is pivotally mounted adjacent its'midpoint on stud 58 (FIG- URE-2"). Stud '58 inturn is fiXedon bracket 6t) secured to pi n elevating memb'erltl. A counte'rw'eightcz is' fixed to one-end of each of the clamp rods 56, as shown in FIGURE 1. However, if preferred, counterweight 62 could be formedinteg'rally with clamprod '56.

-As 'a particular pocket 30 with a pin 68 seated therein is m'oved'away from station l toward station-III, its associated clamp rod 5'6, at'approxim-ately station -II,'will pivot'about s'tud 53 in a clockwise direction as viewed in'FIGUREi, due to the pendulum-like action of counterweight "'62. Rod 56 will rest against stop 65 secured to bracketed which limits the clockwise rotation of rod 56. PinGS seated in pocket 3% will beengaged'by the end of rod 56 remote from counterweight62 as rod56 pivots into operative "position and comes to rest against stop 66 and is secured 'thereby a'gainst'removal from pocket 3'0,a's illustrated in FIGURE 1.

Pins "68 thus secured in pocket 30 of pin elevator 10 will remain therein until the particular pocket 30 arrives at station III. At station III, release means is provided to eifect the selective release of pins 68 from the pin pockets 30 since during the cyclic operation of the machine it is periodically desired to retain pins in pockets 30 and not discharge them at station III into the already full pinspotting units of the associated machine.

This release means comprises a solenoid 72 secured to'bracket 76 of the machine, as shown in FIGURE 2. When, during the cyclic operation of the associated machine, it is determincdby a control system (not shown) that pins 63 are not to'b e released at station III, a circ'uit is completed energizing solenoid 7 2. Solenoid 72,

when energized, retracts its armature 74 out of the path of travel of a rod 56 so that it remains in operative pin engaging position as its associated pocket 30 is rotated past station III. Pins 68 thus remain clamped in pocket 30 until they pass between station III and on their return trip back'to s ta'tidn I. Betv'v'ee'n stat-ion III and station IV, a-cla'n 1"'p 56*wi'll nevi/pivot 'abo'ut studjti in a counter-clockwise direction its-viewed in FIGURE 1' due to the pendulum-like action of counterwei'ghthL'b'ringing rod 56% "rest-adjacent step 64. Stop64 secured to bracket 60 opposite 'sto'p66 limits the counter-clockwise rotation of rod 56. Pins 63 thus released byrod 56,-arc retained in pocket 30 by guide rai-l'70 secured to suitable framework- (-not shown) adjacent pin elevating member 1 0 until it is re-conveyed thereby to-station 1.

Rod '56 remains in inoperativeposition adjacent stop 64 as its associated pocket is moved from station -IV past stationI. It will be-appare'nt that in this position, rod 56 is fully retracted from pocket -30 thus'permi'tting a pin to' enter pocket 3% -completely unhindered.

When during the cyclic o peration of the "associated machine, it'is desired to release pins 68 at stationIII, the control system {not shown) breaks the circuit energizing solenoid 72. When solenoid 72 is de-energized,'its internal spring (not shown) would extend armature 74 into'the path oftr'avel of a rod 56, as shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3. As rod 56 contacts armature 74 as it 'and its associatedip'ocket 30 are moved past station III, rod '56 is pivoted in 'a'counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 3, releasing pin 68, Pin 68, thus released, gravitates out of pocket 30 into pin receiving and aligning device suitably secured to framework (not shown) by bracket 8-2 at station III, as shown in FIGURES 1, Z'and 3. Pin receiving and aligning device 80 may be similar in construction and operation to that shown in Zuercher "patents numbered 2,767,984 and 2,7 69,637 Since device '80 forms no specific part of the present'invention, further disclosure thereof is omitted.

If desired, the pin discharge 'station'can be moved from its position'at station II directly above pin pick-up station I to a position on the return or downward path of travel of the pin carrying pockets 30; for example, between the-twelve and three 'oclock positions thereof as shown in FIG. 4. In this modified form of the invention, the pin engaging "rods 56 are biased by gravity away from the 'pin conveying channel 20 at the discharge station, thereby effecting the automatic release of pins from channel 20. If this change in position of the pin delivery station is made, guide rail 70, solenoid 7-2 'and'thei'r associated supports are not required.

Pin elevating member 10 and associated mechanism, as modified above, are operativ'e'in the same general manner as the preferred embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. All like members function in like manner.

Pins are received into pockets 30 and elevated therein asde'scribed hereinabove. As each'successive pocket is rotated past the new -location or the pin discharge station, rod '56, due'to the gravity bias of weight 62, pivots into position adjacent stop 64, as described hereinabo've for the preferred embodiment. When rod 56 is thus pivoted, pin 68, previously secured in pocket 30 by rod 56 as described above, is automatically released and g'ravitates into pin receiving and aligning device 80. When, during the cyclic operation of the bowling pin spotting machine of 'which 'the 'pin elevating member 10 forms an operative part, it is determined by the control system (not shown) that pins are not to be released at station III, the rotation of pin elevating member 10 is temporarily. halted or interrupted until pins 68 are again required by the pin spotting units or the associated machine.

What I claim is: y

1, In a bowling pin spotting machine for use a bowling alley hav-ii'i'ga pit at one end, 'inechanism for elevating bowling removed tram the playing surface of said alley into said pit comprising a rotary member provided with an annular channel and spaced pin carrying portions, means mounting said member for rotation in a substantially vertical plane such that such portions of said channel pass successively through and out of said pit, means for rotating said member, means for moving said pins in said pit into said channel as said successive pin carrying portions thereof pass through said pit, gravity-actuated pin holding members mounted on said channel and associated with each of the pin carrying portions of said channel and operative to coact with said channel and be gravity biased into engagement with pins in said portions in response to the rotation of said member, whereby pins are held in said channel against removal therefrom during the rotation of said channel.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including means at a point remote from said pit operative to selectively release said pins held in said channel.

3. In a bowling ,pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, mechanism for elevating bowling pins removed from the playing surface of said alley into said pit comprising an annular channel, a plurality of pin holding units in said channel, a pin receiving station, a pin discharge station, means for rotating said channel to travel said units in succession to and from said pin receiving station, and to and from said discharge station, means for directing pins into said units in saidchannel, elongated pendulums, means pivotally mounting one of said pendulums adjacent each of said pin holding units for gravity bias theretoward into pin holding engagement with said pins in said units, and means for maintaining each pendulum in holding engagement with a pin as said pins are elevated to said discharge station. 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including release means comprising a solenoid, means mounting said solenoid adjacent said discharge station and means for selectively energizing said solenoid such that said solenoid is operative to selectively engage said pendulums whereby said pins held in said units thereby are discharged therefrom.

5. Ina bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a pin elevating mechanism comprising an annular channel provided with a plurality of circumferential recesses, means mounting said channel in said pit for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis with successive recesses thereof passing into and out of said pit, means for rotating said channel, means for delivering pins in said pit from the playing surface of said alley to the successive portions of said channel passing through said pit, said pins being received in said recesses with their longitudinal axis substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said channel, elongated rods, means pivotally mounting each of said rods on said channel adjacent each of said recesses, counterweights mounted on the ends of said rods remote from said recesses whereby, in response to the rotation of said mechanism, said rods will be biased by gravity toward said recesses, holding pins in said recesses against removal therefrom during the rotation of said channel and their elevation thereby from said pit, and stop means for controlling the limits of movement of said rods into and out of operative positions with said recesses.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 including release means comprising a solenoid, means mounting said solenoid adjacent the highest point of the path of travel of said rods as they are rotated on said channel, and means for selectively energizing said solenoid to engage said rods at said point whereby said pins held in said recesses thereby will gravitate therefrom.

7. Pin holding mechanism for use with a rotary pin elevating device of an automatic bowling pin spotting machine comprising clamp means mounted in spaced relation along the length of said pin elevating device, said means being gravity actuated in response to the rotation of said device with pins in said device, and means on said device and coacting therewith for maintaining said clamp means in holding engagement with said pins in said device against removal therefrom during the rotation of pin elevating device and release means at a predetermined discharge station to selectively disengage said clamp means from said pins for discharge from said device.

8. Pin holding mechanism for use with a rotary pin elevating device of an automatic bowling pin spotting machine having a plurality of pin carrying units comprising elongated rods, means pivotally mounting said rods in spaced relation adjacent each of the pin carrying units of said pin elevating device, means on said rods to effect the gravity bias of said rods toward said units to retain pins therein during the movement of said pins from the pit of a bowling alley to an elevated pin discharge station, means maintaining said rods in pin holding engagement with pins in said units during at least a portion of said movement, and means at said discharge station to selectively release said pins from said units.

9. In a rotatable pin elevating device for use with a bowling pin spotting machine, said device provided with a plurality of pin recesses, pin engaging mechanism comprising elongated pendulums, means pivotally mounting each of said pendulums adjacent each of said recesses whereby said pendulums are operative to gravitate toward said recesses holding pins lodged therein against removal therefrom during their elevation by the rotation of said device, and stop means limiting the extent of movement of said pendulums when in and when out of operative holding position relative to said recesses.

10. In a rotatable pin elevating device for use with .a bowling pin spotting machine, said device provided with aplurality of circumferential pin pockets, pin gripping apparatus comprising elongated rods, means pivotally mounting each of said rods adjacent each' of said pockets for gravity bias alternately toward and away from said pockets, gripping or releasing pins therein as said device is rotated, and stop means limiting the extentof movement of said pendulums when in and when out of operative holding position relative to said recesses.

11. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having'a pit at one end, a pin elevating mechanism comprising an annular pin conveying channel provided with a plurality of circumferential recesses, means mounting said channel in said pit for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis with successive recesses thereof passing into and out of said pit, means for rotating said channel, means for delivering pins in said pit from the playing surface of said alley to the successive portions of said channel passing through said pit, said pins being received in said recesses with their longitudinal axes substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of said channel, elongated rods, means pivotally mounting each of said rods on said channel adjacent each of said recesses, counterweights mounted on the ends of said rods remote from said recesses whereby said rods will be biased by gravity toward said recesses holding pins in said recesses against removal therefrom during the rotation of said channel and their elevation thereby from said pit to a pin discharge station remote from the highest point of travel of said channel, said counterweights being operative by gravity to bias said rods away from said recesses at said pin discharge station torelease said pins conveyed thereto in said recesses, and stop means limiting the extent of movement of said pendulums when in and when out of operative holding position relative to said recesses.

12. In a bowling pin spotting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, mechanism for elevating bowling pins removed from the playing surface of said alley into said pit comprising an annular channel, a plurality of pin holding units in said channel, a pin receiving station in said pit, a pin discharge station rewomb gravity bias adjacent each of saicl pin holding units'iivher- 

